The Fatimids, the Ismaili Shi'i dynasty that ruled in North Africa and Egypt from 909 to 1171, are most famous for founding the city of al-Qahira (Cairo) in 969, while their art—particularly textiles and ceramics, but also metalwork, carved crystal, ivory, and woodwork—has been admired for nearly a millennium. In this engaging book, illustrated with more than 100 color and archival photos, Jonathan Bloom concentrates on securely dated and localized examples of Fatimid art and architecture, focusing on significant examples and providing extensive notes and a bibliography.

"Bloom provides careful research and notes new findings, such as those relating to whether Egyptians relied on techniques for stonework that were already known to them or whether the skills were imported from Syria."—Library Journal